Date: Sat, Mar 28th
Scripture: Psalm 102:19
“…from heaven the Lord looked at the earth, 20 to hear the groans of the prisoners, to set free those who were doomed to die”
By: Sandy Strauss, Director of Advocacy PA Council of Churches
Have you ever experienced loneliness, depression, pain, anguish, or grief that felt so oppressive that there seemed to be no way out? Have you ever had such feelings of despair that it feels as if you are completely alone? Most of us have probably had these feelings from time to time, and perhaps have found solace in the words of the psalmist from Psalm 102: “…from heaven the Lord looked at the earth, to hear the groans of the prisoners, to set free those who were doomed to die…”
Now consider our brothers and sisters who are literally locked behind bars, denied the freedoms and privileges that belong to us, with little or no hope of being set free in the foreseeable future. Then imagine that some small incident lands them within a box, isolated from their fellow prisoners and nearly all direct human contact. We would be hard-pressed to imagine the level of hopelessness at being in this kind of situation—feeling not just distant from other human beings, but wondering if God hears their groans, or if they are doomed to die in a place where no one seems to care. We know that when we are feeling alone and in anguish we have the freedom to visit a counselor, speak with friends, listen to music, take a walk in nature, and generally find ways to feel God’s presence in ways that give us hope. This is more difficult for those in prison who may feel abandoned by society. God may feel distant, but our efforts can help our neighbors in prison know that we hear their groans and are working for their restoration when it feels like no one else cares. We can become the face of God for them, giving them hope and strength to sustain them through the darkest moments.
Prayer: God of presence, help me to be your ears, hearing the groans of the prisoners, and to be your hands, working to set free those who are (or feel) doomed to die. Guide those in prison to feel your presence and know that you are with them always. Amen.
Criminal Justice Fact: Solitary Confinement has been shown to cause increased suicidal ideation and self-harm behaviors, visual and auditory hallucinations, hypersensitivity to noise and touch, insomnia, paranoia, and PTSD.
Action:Talk with your congregation about becoming a “Station of Hope” in order to support individuals returning from incarceration. Learn more here: https://www.healingcommunitiesusa.com/become-a-station-of-hope
Contact Sandy Strauss at sstrauss@pachurches.org for more information
Leave a Reply